photodegradation

noun

Any reduction or degradation in a useful property of a material because of a chemical change as a result of absorption of light.

OriginEnglish degradation ← Ancient Greek φωτο- (phōto-) ← Proto-Hellenic *pʰáwos →
RareScrabble 24
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Meanings

nounphotodegradation (uncountable)

alternative photo-degradation

  1. uncountableAny reduction or degradation in a useful property of a material because of a chemical change as a result of absorption of light.

Origin

  1. Proto-Indo-European*bʰeh₂-
  2. Proto-Indo-European*bʰéh₂os
  3. Proto-Hellenic*pʰáwos
  4. Ancient Greekφᾰ́ος (phắos)
  5. Ancient Greekφῶς (phôs)
  6. Ancient Greekφωτο- (phōto-)
  7. Englishphoto-
  8. Englishdegradation
  9. Englishphotodegradation

From photo- + degradation.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

photodegradation. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/photodegradation

MLA

“photodegradation.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/photodegradation. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “photodegradation,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/photodegradation.

Source: photodegradation on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.